Display device with touch detection function and electronic apparatus

ABSTRACT

According to an aspect, a display device with a touch detection function includes a display area and a touch detection electrode that includes thin wire segments having first and second ends. Thin wire segments include a thin wire segment extending in a direction different from a pixel arrangement direction in which color regions having the highest human visibility are arranged. The second end is located away from the first end in a direction toward a target position that is distant from the first end in a pixel orthogonal direction by N times of a maximum length of one of the pixels in the pixel orthogonal direction, and in the pixel arrangement direction by M times of a maximum length of one of the pixels in the pixel arrangement direction. Each of N and M is an integer of 2 or larger. N and M are different from each other.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to Japanese Priority PatentApplication JP 2013-067640 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Mar. 27,2013, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a display device and an electronicapparatus that are capable of detecting an external proximity object,and particularly to a display device with a touch detection function andan electronic apparatus that are capable of detecting an externalproximity object based on a change in electrostatic capacitance.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, a touch detection device commonly called a touch panelthat can detect an external proximity object has attracted attention.The touch panel is mounted on or integrated with a display device, suchas a liquid crystal display device, and is used in a display device witha touch detection function. The display device with the touch detectionfunction displays various button images, for example, on the displaydevice so as to allow information input by using the touch panel as asubstitute for typical mechanical buttons. The display device with thetouch detection function having the touch panel as described above doesnot need an input device, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a keypad, andthus tends to be more widely used also in a computer, a portableinformation terminal, such as a mobile phone, and so on.

Several types of the touch detection device exist, such as an opticaltype, a resistance type, and an electrostatic capacitance type. Usingthe electrostatic capacitance type touch detection device in theportable information terminal, for example, can achieve apparatuses thathave a relatively simple structure and consume low power. For example,Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Publication No. 2010-197576(JP-A-2010-197576) discloses a touch panel in which a translucentelectrode pattern is made invisible.

The display device with the touch detection function is further requiredto have lower-resistance touch detection electrodes to achieve a smallerthickness, a larger screen size, or a higher definition. A translucentconductive oxide such as indium tin oxide (ITO) is used as a material oftranslucent electrodes for the touch detection electrodes. Anelectrically conductive material such as a metallic material iseffectively used for reducing the resistance of the touch detectionelectrodes. However, using the electrically conductive material such asa metallic material can cause a moire pattern to be seen due tointerference between pixels of the display device and the electricallyconductive material such as a metallic material.

For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a display device with atouch detection function and an electronic apparatus that can reduce thepossibility of a moire pattern being seen, while including touchdetection electrodes of an electrically conductive material such as ametallic material.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect, a display device with a touch detection functionincludes: a substrate; a display area in which pixels each constitutedby a plurality of color regions are arranged in a matrix in a planeparallel to a surface of the substrate; a touch detection electrode thatincludes a conductive thin wire extending in a plane parallel to thesurface of the substrate, the conductive thin wire including a pluralityof thin wire segments each having a linear shape and including a firstend and a second end, the second end of one of adjacent thin wiresegments and the first end of the other of the adjacent thin wiresegments being connected to each other; a drive electrode that haselectrostatic capacitance with respect to the touch detection electrode;and a display function layer having a function of displaying an image inthe display area. When it is assumed that a direction of arrangement ofcolor regions having the highest human visibility among the colorregions is defined as a pixel arrangement direction, that a maximumlength of one of the pixels in a pixel orthogonal direction orthogonalto the pixel arrangement direction in the plane parallel to the surfaceof the substrate is defined as a first unit length, and that a maximumlength of one of the pixels in a direction parallel to the pixelarrangement direction is defined as a second unit length, the pluralityof thin wire segments included in the conductive thin wire includes athin wire segment extending in a direction different from the pixelarrangement direction, and the second end of the thin wire segment islocated at a place away from the first end in a direction toward atarget position, where the target position is distant from the first endof the thin wire segment in the pixel orthogonal direction by N times ofthe first unit length, and is distant from the first end of the thinwire segment in the pixel arrangement direction by M times of the secondunit length, each of N and M is an integer of 2 or larger, and N and Mare different from each other.

According to another aspect, an electronic apparatus includes a displaydevice with a touch detection function that includes: a substrate; adisplay area in which pixels each constituted by a plurality of colorregions are arranged in a matrix in a plane parallel to a surface of thesubstrate; a touch detection electrode that includes a conductive thinwire extending in a plane parallel to the surface of the substrate, theconductive thin wire including a plurality of thin wire segments eachhaving a linear shape and including a first end and a second end, thesecond end of one of adjacent thin wire segments and the first end ofthe other of the adjacent thin wire segments being connected to eachother; a drive electrode that has electrostatic capacitance with respectto the touch detection electrode; and a display function layer having afunction of displaying an image in the display area. When it is assumedthat a direction of arrangement of color regions having the highesthuman visibility among the color regions is defined as a pixelarrangement direction, that a maximum length of one of the pixels in apixel orthogonal direction orthogonal to the pixel arrangement directionin the plane parallel to the surface of the substrate is defined as afirst unit length, and that a maximum length of one of the pixels in adirection parallel to the pixel arrangement direction is defined as asecond unit length, the plurality of thin wire segments included in theconductive thin wire includes a thin wire segment extending in adirection different from the pixel arrangement direction, and the secondend of the thin wire segment is located at a place away from the firstend in a direction toward a target position, where the target positionis distant from the first end of the thin wire segment in the pixelorthogonal direction by N times of the first unit length, and is distantfrom the first end of the thin wire segment in the pixel arrangementdirection by M times of the second unit length, each of N and M is aninteger of 2 or larger, and N and M are different from each other.

Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will beapparent from the following Detailed Description and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of adisplay device with a touch detection function according to a firstembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a fingeris neither in contact with nor in proximity of a device for explaining abasic principle of an electrostatic capacitance type touch detectionsystem;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of anequivalent circuit in the state illustrated in FIG. 2 in which a fingeris neither in contact with nor in proximity of a device;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a fingeris in contact with or in proximity of a device for explaining the basicprinciple of the electrostatic capacitance type touch detection system;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of theequivalent circuit in the state illustrated in FIG. 4 in which a fingeris in contact with or in proximity of a device;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of waveforms of a drivesignal and a touch detection signal;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a module on which thedisplay device with the touch detection function is mounted;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a module on which thedisplay device with the touch detection function is mounted;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematiccross-sectional structure of a display unit with a touch detectionfunction according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram illustrating a pixel arrangement of thedisplay unit with the touch detection function according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration example ofdrive electrodes and touch detection electrodes of the display unit withthe touch detection function according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a timing waveform diagram illustrating an operation exampleof the display device with the touch detection function according to thefirst embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement of the touchdetection electrodes according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram explaining relative positional relationsbetween a first end and a second end of a thin wire segment according tothe first embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a chart illustrating moire evaluations for the display devicewith the touch detection function according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram explaining relative positional relationsbetween the first end and the second end of the thin wire segmentaccording to a first modification of the first embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a chart illustrating moire evaluations for a display devicewith a touch detection function according to the first modification ofthe first embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram for explaining a configuration of a touchdetection electrode according to a second modification of the firstembodiment;

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement of touchdetection electrodes according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram explaining relative positional relationsbetween a first end and a second end of a thin wire segment according toa third embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram for explaining a pixel arrangementdirection according to a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematiccross-sectional structure of a display unit with a touch detectionfunction according to a fifth embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of an electronic apparatusto which the display device with the touch detection function or thedisplay device according to any of the above-mentioned embodiments andmodifications is applied;

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of an electronic apparatusto which the display device with the touch detection function or thedisplay device according to any of the above-mentioned embodiments andmodifications is applied;

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating the example of the electronicapparatus to which the display device with the touch detection functionor the display device according to any of the above-mentionedembodiments and modifications is applied;

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of an electronic apparatusto which the display device with the touch detection function or thedisplay device according to any of the above-mentioned embodiments andmodifications is applied;

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of an electronic apparatusto which the display device with the touch detection function or thedisplay device according to any of the above-mentioned embodiments andmodifications is applied;

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an example of an electronic apparatusto which the display device with the touch detection function or thedisplay device according to any of the above-mentioned embodiments andmodifications is applied;

FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating the example of the electronicapparatus to which the display device with the touch detection functionor the display device according to any of the above-mentionedembodiments and modifications is applied:

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating the example of the electronicapparatus to which the display device with the touch detection functionor the display device according to any of the above-mentionedembodiments and modifications is applied;

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating the example of the electronicapparatus to which the display device with the touch detection functionor the display device according to any of the above-mentionedembodiments and modifications is applied;

FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating the example of the electronicapparatus to which the display device with the touch detection functionor the display device according to any of the above-mentionedembodiments and modifications is applied;

FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating the example of the electronicapparatus to which the display device with the touch detection functionor the display device according to any of the above-mentionedembodiments and modifications is applied;

FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating the example of the electronicapparatus to which the display device with the touch detection functionor the display device according to any of the above-mentionedembodiments and modifications is applied; and

FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating the example of an electronic apparatusto which the display device with the touch detection function or thedisplay device according to any of the above-mentioned embodiments andmodifications is applied.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments for practicing the present disclosure will be described indetail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The description ofthe embodiments below will not limit the present disclosure. Theconstituent elements described below include elements that can easily beenvisaged by those skilled in the art and substantially identicalelements. The constituent elements described below can also be combinedas appropriate. The description will be made in the following order.

1. Embodiments (display device with touch detection function)

-   -   1-1. First embodiment    -   1-2. Second embodiment    -   1-3. Third embodiment    -   1-4. Fourth embodiment    -   1-5. Fifth embodiment

2. Application examples (electronic apparatuses)

Examples in which a display device with a touch detection functionaccording to the above-mentioned embodiments is applied to electronicapparatuses

3. Aspects of present disclosure

1. Embodiments 1-1. First Embodiment

1-1A. Configuration Examples

Overall Configuration Example

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of adisplay device with a touch detection function according to a firstembodiment. This display device with a touch detection function 1includes a display unit with a touch detection function 10, a controlunit 11, a gate driver 12, a source driver 13, a drive electrode driver14, and a touch detection unit 40. The display device with the touchdetection function 1 is a display device in which the display unit withthe touch detection function 10 has a built-in touch detection function.The display unit with the touch detection function 10 is a deviceobtained by integrating a liquid crystal display unit 20 using liquidcrystal display elements as display elements with an electrostaticcapacitance type touch detection device 30. The display unit with thetouch detection function 10 may be a device obtained by mounting theelectrostatic capacitance type touch detection device 30 on the liquidcrystal display unit 20 using the liquid crystal display elements as thedisplay elements. The liquid crystal display unit 20 may be, forexample, an organic EL display device.

The liquid crystal display unit 20 is a device that performs display bysequentially scanning on each horizontal line according to a scan signalVscan supplied from the gate driver 12, as will be described later. Thecontrol unit 11 is a circuit that supplies control signals to each ofthe gate driver 12, the source driver 13, the drive electrode driver 14,and the touch detection unit 40 based on an externally supplied videosignal Vdisp, control signals to each of the gate driver 12, and thuscontrols them so as to operate in synchronization with each other.

The gate driver 12 has a function to sequentially select one horizontalline to be display-driven by the display unit with the touch detectionfunction 10 based on the control signal supplied from the control unit11.

The source driver 13 is a circuit that supplies pixel signals Vpix torespective sub-pixels SPix (to be described later) of the display unitwith the touch detection function 10 based on the control signalsupplied from the control unit 11.

The drive electrode driver 14 is a circuit that supplies a drive signalVcom to drive electrodes COML (to be described later) of the displayunit with the touch detection function 10 based on the control signalsupplied from the control unit 11.

The touch detection unit 40 is a circuit that detects existence of atouch (a contact or proximity state which will be described later,) tothe touch detection device 30 based on the control signal supplied fromthe control unit 11 and touch detection signals Vdet supplied from thetouch detection device 30 of the display unit with the touch detectionfunction 10. If a touch exists, the touch detection device 30 obtains,for example, coordinates of the touch in a touch detection region. Thetouch detection unit 40 includes a touch detection signal amplifier 42,an A/D converter 43, a signal processing unit 44, a coordinateextraction unit 45, and a detection timing control unit 46.

The touch detection signal amplifier 42 amplifies the touch detectionsignals Vdet supplied from the touch detection device 30. The touchdetection signal amplifier 42 may include a low-pass analog filter thatremoves high-frequency components (noise components) included in thetouch detection signals Vdet to extract touch components, and outputseach of the touch components.

Basic Principle of Electrostatic Capacitance Type Touch Detection

The touch detection device 30 operates based on a basic principle ofelectrostatic capacitance type touch detection, and outputs the touchdetection signals Vdet. A description will be made of the basicprinciple of the touch detection in the display device with the touchdetection function 1 of the present embodiment with reference to FIGS. 1to 6. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which afinger is neither in contact with nor in proximity of the device forexplaining the basic principle of the electrostatic capacitance typetouch detection system. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating anexample of an equivalent circuit in the state illustrated in FIG. 2 inwhich a finger is neither in contact with nor in proximity of a device.FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a fingeris in contact with or in proximity of a device for explaining the basicprinciple of the electrostatic capacitance type touch detection system.FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of theequivalent circuit in the state illustrated in FIG. 4 in which a fingeris in contact with or in proximity of a device. FIG. 6 is a diagramillustrating an example of waveforms of the drive signal and the touchdetection signal.

For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, capacitive elements C1 andC1′ include each a pair of electrodes, that is, a drive electrode E1 anda touch detection electrode E2 that are arranged opposite to each otherwith a dielectric body D interposed therebetween. As illustrated in FIG.3, one end of the capacitive element C1 is coupled to an alternatingsignal source (drive signal source) S, and the other end thereof iscoupled to a voltage detector (touch detection unit) DET. The voltagedetector DET is, for example, an integration circuit included in thetouch detection signal amplifier 42 illustrated in FIG. 1.

Applying an alternating-current rectangular wave Sg having apredetermined frequency (such as approximately several kilohertz toseveral hundred kilohertz) from the alternating signal source S to thedrive electrode E1 (one end of the capacitive element C1) causes anoutput waveform (touch detection signal Vdet) to occur via the voltagedetector DET coupled to the side of the touch detection electrode E2(the other end of the capacitive element C1). The alternating-currentrectangular wave Sg corresponds to a touch drive signal Vcomt which willbe described later.

In the state in which the finger is not in contact with (nor inproximity of) the device (non-contact state), a current I₀ correspondingto a capacitance value of the capacitive element C1 flows in associationwith the charge and discharge of the capacitive element C1, asillustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the voltagedetector DET converts a variation in the current I₀ corresponding to thealternating-current rectangular wave Sg into a variation in a voltage(waveform V₀ indicated by a solid line).

In the state in which the finger is in contact with (or in proximity of)the device (contact state), electrostatic capacitance C2 generated bythe finger is in contact with or in proximity of the touch detectionelectrode E2, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Thus, a fringe component of theelectrostatic capacitance between the drive electrode E1 and the touchdetection electrode E2 is interrupted, and the capacitive element C1′having a smaller capacitance value than that of the capacitive elementC1 is obtained. Referring to the equivalent circuit illustrated in FIG.5, a current I₁ flows through the capacitive element C1′. As illustratedin FIG. 6, the voltage detector DET converts a variation in the currentI₁ corresponding to the alternating-current rectangular wave Sg into avariation in a voltage (waveform V₁ indicated by a dotted line). In thiscase, the waveform V₁ has a smaller amplitude than that of theabove-described waveform V₀. This indicates that an absolute value |ΔV|of a voltage difference between the waveform V₀ and the waveform V₁changes according to an influence of an object, such as a finger,approaching from the outside. To accurately detect the absolute value|ΔV| of the voltage difference between the waveform V₀ and the waveformV₁, the voltage detector DET preferably performs an operation includinga period Reset during which the charge or discharge of the capacitor isreset by switching in the circuit in accordance with the frequency ofthe alternating-current rectangular wave Sg.

The touch detection device 30 illustrated in FIG. 1 is configured toperform the touch detection by sequentially scanning one detection blockat a time according to the drive signals Vcom (touch drive signals Vcomtto be described later) supplied from the drive electrode driver 14.

The touch detection device 30 is configured to output the touchdetection signals Vdet for each detection block from a plurality oftouch detection electrodes TDL (to be described later) via the voltagedetectors DET illustrated in FIG. 3 or 5, and supply the touch detectionsignals Vdet to the touch detection signal amplifier 42 of the touchdetection unit 40.

The A/D converter 43 is a circuit that samples each analog signal outputfrom the touch detection signal amplifier 42 at a timing synchronizedwith the drive signals Vcom, and converts the sampled analog signal intoa digital signal.

The signal processing unit 44 includes a digital filter that reducesfrequency components (noise components) included in the output signalsof the A/D converter 43 other than the frequency at which the drivesignals Vcom have been sampled. The signal processing unit 44 is a logiccircuit that detects existence of a touch to the touch detection device30 based on the output signals of the A/D converter 43. The signalprocessing unit 44 performs processing to extract only a difference ofvoltage caused by the finger. The difference of voltage caused by thefinger is the absolute value |ΔV| of the difference between the waveformV₀ and the waveform V₁ described above. The signal processing unit 44may perform a calculation of averaging the absolute values |ΔV| perdetection block to obtain an average value of the absolute values |ΔV|.This allows the signal processing unit 44 to reduce the influence of thenoise. The signal processing unit 44 compares the detected difference ofvoltage caused by the finger with a predetermined threshold voltage. Thesignal processing unit 44 determines that the state is the contact stateof the external proximity object approaching from the outside if thedifference of voltage is equal to or larger than the threshold voltage,and determines that the state is the non-contact state of the externalproximity object if the difference of voltage is smaller than thethreshold voltage. The touch detection unit 40 can perform the touchdetection in this manner.

The coordinate extraction unit 45 is a logic circuit that obtains touchpanel coordinates of a touch when the touch is detected in the signalprocessing unit 44. The detection timing control unit 46 performscontrol so as to operate the A/D converter 43, the signal processingunit 44, and the coordinate extraction unit 45 in synchronization witheach other. The coordinate extraction unit 45 outputs the touch panelcoordinates as a signal output Vout.

Module

FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrams each illustrating an example of a module onwhich the display device with the touch detection function is mounted.When the display device with the touch detection function 1 is mountedon a module, the above-described drive electrode driver 14 may be formedon a TFT substrate 21 that is a glass substrate, as illustrated in FIG.7.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the display device with the touch detectionfunction 1 includes the display unit with the touch detection function10, the drive electrode driver 14, and a chip on glass (COG) 19A. FIG. 7schematically illustrates the drive electrodes COML and the touchdetection electrodes TDL in the display unit with a touch detectionfunction 10 viewed in a direction orthogonal to a surface of the TFTsubstrate 21 to be described later. The drive electrodes COML and thetouch detection electrodes TDL are formed so as to three-dimensionallyintersect the drive electrodes COML. Specifically, the drive electrodesCOML are formed in a direction along one side of the display unit withthe touch detection function 10, and the touch detection electrodes TDLare formed in a direction along the other side of the display unit withthe touch detection function 10. The output terminal of the touchdetection electrodes TDL is coupled to the touch detection unit 40mounted outside this module via a terminal unit T that is provided atthe above-described other side of the display unit with the touchdetection function 10 and is composed of a flexible substrate, forexample. The drive electrode driver 14 is formed on the TFT substrate 21that is a glass substrate. The COG 19A is a chip mounted on the TFTsubstrate 21, and includes built-in circuits necessary for a displayoperation, such as the control unit 11, the gate driver 12, and thesource driver 13 illustrated in FIG. 1. The drive electrode driver 14may be built into the COG of the display device with the touch detectionfunction 1, as illustrated in FIG. 8.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the module, on which the display device withthe touch detection function 1 is mounted, includes a COG 19B. The COG19B illustrated in FIG. 8 incorporates therein the drive electrodedriver 14 in additions to the above-described circuits necessary for thedisplay operation. In the display operation, the display device with thetouch detection function 1 performs line-sequential scanning on eachhorizontal line, as will be described later. In a touch detectionoperation, the display device with the touch detection function 1performs the line-sequential scanning on each detection line bysequentially applying the drive signals Vcom to the drive electrodesCOML.

Display Unit with Touch Detection Function

A configuration example of the display unit with the touch detectionfunction 10 will be described below in detail. FIG. 9 is across-sectional view illustrating a schematic cross-sectional structureof the display unit with the touch detection function according to thefirst embodiment. FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram illustrating a pixelarrangement of the display unit with the touch detection functionaccording to the first embodiment. The display unit with the touchdetection function 10 includes a pixel substrate 2, a counter substrate3 arranged facing a surface of the pixel substrate 2 in the directionorthogonal thereto, and a liquid crystal layer 6 inserted between thepixel substrate 2 and the counter substrate 3.

The pixel substrate 2 includes the TFT substrate 21 as a circuitsubstrate, a plurality of pixel electrodes 22 arranged in a matrix abovethe TFT substrate 21, the drive electrodes COML formed between the TFTsubstrate 21 and the pixel electrodes 22, and an insulation layer 24insulating the pixel electrodes 22 from the drive electrodes COML. TheTFT substrate 21 is provided with thin-film transistor (TFT) elements Trof the respective sub-pixels SPix illustrated in FIG. 10, and withwiring, including signal lines SGL that supply the pixel signals Vpix tothe respective pixel electrodes 22 illustrated in FIG. 9 and scan linesGCL that drive the respective TFT elements Tr. In this manner, thesignal lines SGL extend in a plane parallel to the surface of the TFTsubstrate 21, and supply the pixel signals Vpix for displaying an imageto the pixels. The liquid crystal display unit 20 illustrated in FIG. 10includes the sub-pixels SPix arranged in a matrix. Each of thesub-pixels SPix includes the TFT element Tr and a liquid crystal elementLC. The TFT element Tr is constituted by a thin-film transistor, and inthe present example, constituted by an n-channel metal oxidesemiconductor (MOS) TFT. One of the source and the drain of the TFTelement Tr is coupled to each of the signal lines SGL; the gate thereofis coupled to each of the scan lines GCL; and the other of the sourceand the drain thereof is coupled to one end of the liquid crystalelement LC. One end of the liquid crystal element LC is coupled, forexample, to the drain of the TFT element Tr, and the other end thereofis coupled to each of the drive electrodes COML.

The sub-pixel SPix illustrated in FIG. 10 is coupled by the scan lineGCL with other sub-pixels SPix belonging to the same row of the liquidcrystal display unit 20. The scan line GCL is coupled with the gatedriver 12, and is supplied with the scan signal Vscan from the gatedriver 12. The sub-pixel SPix is coupled with another sub-pixel SPixbelonging to the same column of the liquid crystal display unit 20 viathe signal line SGL. The signal line SGL is coupled with the sourcedriver 13, and is supplied with the pixel signals Vpix from the sourcedriver 13. The sub-pixel SPix is further coupled with another sub-pixelSPix belonging to the same row of the liquid crystal display unit 20 viathe drive electrode COML. The drive electrode COML is coupled with thedrive electrode driver 14, and is supplied with the drive signal Vcomfrom the drive electrode driver 14. This means that the sub-pixels SPixbelonging to the same one of the rows share one of the drive electrodesCOML, in the present example. The drive electrodes COML of the firstembodiment extend parallel to the direction of extension of the scanlines GCL. The direction of extension of the drive electrodes COML ofthe first embodiment may be, for example, but not limited to, adirection parallel to the direction of extension of the signal linesSGL.

The gate driver 12 illustrated in FIG. 1 applies the scan signals Vscanto the gates of the TFT elements Tr of pixels Pix via the scan line GCLillustrated in FIG. 10 so as to sequentially select, as a target ofdisplay driving, one row (one horizontal line) of the sub-pixels SPixformed in a matrix on the liquid crystal display unit 20. The sourcedriver 13 illustrated in FIG. 1 supplies the pixel signals Vpix to therespective sub-pixels SPix constituting one horizontal line sequentiallyselected by the gate driver 12 via the signal lines SGL illustrated inFIG. 10. The sub-pixels SPix are configured to display one horizontalline according to the pixel signals Vpix thus supplied. The driveelectrode driver 14 illustrated in FIG. 1 applies the drive signals Vcomto the drive electrodes COML in each block consisting of a predeterminednumber of the drive electrodes COML illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, andthus drives the drive electrodes COML of each block.

As describe above, the gate driver 12 sequentially selects a horizontalline on the liquid crystal display unit 20 by driving the scan line GCLso as to perform the line-sequential scanning in a time-division manner.The source driver 13 supplies the pixel signals Vpix to the sub-pixelsSPix belonging to the horizontal line so as to perform the display onthe liquid crystal display unit 20 on a horizontal line by horizontalline basis. The drive electrode driver 14 is configured to apply thedrive signals Vcom to the block including the drive electrodes COMLcorresponding to the horizontal line while this display operation isperformed,

The drive electrode COML according to the present embodiment functionsas a drive electrode of the liquid crystal display unit 20, and also asa drive electrode of the touch detection device 30. FIG. 11 is aperspective view illustrating a configuration example of the driveelectrodes and the touch detection electrodes of the display unit withthe touch detection function according to the first embodiment. Asillustrated in FIG. 9, the drive electrodes COML illustrated in FIG. 11face the pixel electrodes 22 in the direction orthogonal to the surfaceof the TFT substrate 21. The touch detection device 30 includes thedrive electrodes COML provided at the pixel substrate 2 and the touchdetection electrodes TDL provided at the counter substrate 3. The touchdetection electrodes TDL include stripe-like electrode patternsextending in the direction intersecting the extending direction of theelectrode patterns of the drive electrodes COML. The touch detectionelectrodes TDL face the drive electrodes COML in the directionorthogonal to the surface of the TFT substrate 21. Each of the electrodepatterns of the touch detection electrodes TDL is coupled to an inputterminal of the touch detection signal amplifier 42 of the touchdetection unit 40. The electrode patterns of the drive electrodes COMLand the touch detection electrodes TDL intersecting each other generateelectrostatic capacitance at intersecting portions therebetween. Thetouch detection electrodes TDL and/or the drive electrodes COML (driveelectrode blocks) are not limited to have a shape divided into aplurality of stripes. For example, the touch detection electrodes TDLand/or the drive electrodes COML (drive electrode blocks) may have acomb shape. Otherwise, in the touch detection electrodes TDL and/or thedrive electrodes COML (drive electrode blocks), a plurality of patternsonly need to be separated from each other. For example, the slitsseparating the drive electrodes COML from each other may have astraight-line shape or a curved-line shape.

When the touch detection device 30 performs the touch detectionoperation, this configuration causes the drive electrode driver 14 toperform driving so as to perform line-sequential scanning of the driveelectrode blocks in a time-division manner. This leads to sequentialselection of one detection block of the drive electrodes COML in a scandirection Scan. The touch detection device 30 outputs the touchdetection signal Vdet from each of the touch detection electrodes TDL.The touch detection device 30 is configured to perform the touchdetection of one detection block in this manner. This means that thedrive electrode block corresponds to the drive electrode E1 whereas thetouch detection electrode TDL corresponds to the touch detectionelectrode E2 in the above-described basic principle of touch detection,and the touch detection device 30 is configured to detect the touchaccording to the basic principle. As illustrated in FIG. 11, theelectrode patterns intersecting each other constitute an electrostaticcapacitance type touch sensor in a matrix form. This also enablesdetection of a position where the external proximity object is incontact therewith or in proximity thereof by scanning the entire touchdetection surface of the touch detection device 30.

The liquid crystal layer 6 modulates light passing therethroughaccording to the state of an electric field, and includes liquidcrystals of a horizontal electric field mode, such as a fringe fieldswitching (FFS) mode or an in-plane switching (IPS) mode. An orientationfilm may be interposed between the liquid crystal layer 6 and the pixelsubstrate 2, and between the liquid crystal layer 6 and the countersubstrate 3, which are illustrated in FIG. 9.

The counter substrate 3 includes a glass substrate 31 and a color filter32 formed at one surface of the glass substrate 31. The touch detectionelectrodes TDL serving as detection electrodes of the touch detectiondevice 30 are formed at the other surface of the glass substrate 31, anda polarizing plate 35 is further disposed above the touch detectionelectrodes TDL.

In the color filter 32 illustrated in FIG. 9, for example, color regionscolored in three colors of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) areperiodically arranged, and these color regions 32R, 32G, and 32B (referto FIG. 10) of the three colors of R, G, and B correspond to theabove-described respective sub-pixels SPix illustrated in FIG. 10. Thecolor regions 32R, 32G, and 32B constitute each of the pixels Pix as aset. The pixels Pix are arranged in a matrix along directions parallelto the scan lines GCL and the signal lines SGL, and form a display areaAd to be described later. The color filter 32 faces the liquid crystallayer 6 in the direction orthogonal to the TFT substrate 21. Thus, thesub-pixels SPix can perform monochromatic display. The color filter 32may have a combination of other colors as long as being colored indifferent colors from each other. The color filter 32 is notindispensable. Thus, an area not covered with the color filter 32 (i.e.,translucent sub-pixels SPix) may exist.

The glass substrate 31 corresponds to a specific example of a“substrate” in the present disclosure. The color regions 32R, 32G, and32B correspond to a specific example of “color regions” in the presentdisclosure. The pixel Pix corresponds to a specific example of a “pixel”in the present disclosure. The display area Ad corresponds to a specificexample of a “display area” in the present disclosure. The touchdetection electrode TDL corresponds to a specific example of a “touchdetection electrode” in the present disclosure. The drive electrode COMLcorresponds to a specific example of a “drive electrode” in the presentdisclosure. The liquid crystal layer 6 corresponds to a specific exampleof a “display function layer” in the present disclosure.

1-1.B Operations and Actions

Subsequently, a description will be made of operations and actions ofthe display device with the touch detection function 1 of the firstembodiment.

The drive signals Vcom can affect each other because the drive electrodeCOML functions as a common drive electrode of the liquid crystal displayunit 20 and also as a drive electrode of the touch detection device 30.For this reason, the drive signals Vcom are applied to the driveelectrodes COML separately in a display period B in which the displayoperation is performed, and in a touch detection period A in which thetouch detection operation is performed. The drive electrode driver 14applies the drive signal Vcom as a display drive signal in the displayperiod B in which the display operation is performed. The driveelectrode driver 14 applies the drive signal Vcom as a touch drivesignal in the touch detection period A in which the touch detectionoperation is performed. The description below will describe the drivesignal Vcom serving as the display drive signal as a display drivesignal Vcomd, and the drive signal Vcom serving as the touch drivesignal as the touch drive signal Vcomt.

Overall Operation Overview

Based on the externally supplied video signal Vdisp, the control unit 11supplies the control signal to each of the gate driver 12, the sourcedriver 13, the drive electrode driver 14, and the touch detection unit40 so as to operate in synchronization with each other. In the displayperiod B, the gate driver 12 supplies the scan signals Vscan to theliquid crystal display unit 20, and thus sequentially selects onehorizontal line to be display-driven. The source driver 13 supplies thepixel signals Vpix to the respective pixels Pix constituting thehorizontal line selected by the gate driver 12 in the display period B.

In the display period B, the drive electrode driver 14 applies thedisplay drive signals Vcomd to a drive electrode block related to thehorizontal line. In the touch detection period A, the drive electrodedriver 14 sequentially applies the touch drive signal Vcomt to a driveelectrode block related to the touch detection operation, and thussequentially selects one detection block. In the display period B, thedisplay unit with the touch detection function 10 performs the displayoperation based on the signals supplied from the gate driver 12, thesource driver 13, and the drive electrode driver 14. In the touchdetection period A, the display unit with the touch detection function10 performs the touch detection operation based on the signal suppliedfrom the drive electrode driver 14, and outputs the touch detectionsignal Vdet from the touch detection electrode TDL. The touch detectionsignal amplifier 42 amplifies and then outputs the touch detectionsignal Vdet. The A/D converter 43 converts the analog signal output fromthe touch detection signal amplifier 42 into the digital signal at atiming synchronized with the touch drive signal Vcomt. Based on theoutput signal of the A/D converter 43, the signal processing unit 44detects existence of a touch to the touch detection device 30. Thedetection of the touch by the signal processing unit 44 leads thecoordinate extraction unit 45 to obtain the touch panel coordinates ofthe touch.

Detailed Operation

A detailed operation of the display device with the touch detectionfunction 1 will be described below. FIG. 12 is a timing waveform diagramillustrating an operation example of the display device with the touchdetection function according to the first embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 12, the liquid crystal display unit 20 sequentially scan on each ofhorizontal lines the adjacent scan lines GCL of (n−1)th, nth, and(n+1)th rows among the scan lines GCL based on the scan signals Vscansupplied from the gate driver 12, and thus performs the display. In asimilar manner, based on the control signal supplied from the controlunit 11, the drive electrode driver 14 supplies the drive signal Vcom tothe adjacent drive electrodes COML of (m−1)th, mth, and (m+1)th columnsamong the drive electrodes COML of the display unit with the touchdetection function 10.

In this manner, the display device with the touch detection function 1performs the touch detection operation (in the touch detection period A)and the display operation (in the display period B) in a time-divisionmanner at intervals of one horizontal display period (1H). In the touchdetection operation, the scanning of the touch detection is performed byselecting a different drive electrode COML and applying thereto thedrive signal Vcom at intervals of one horizontal display period 1H. Theoperation will be described below in detail.

First, the gate driver 12 applies the scan signal Vscan to the scan lineGCL of the (n−1)th row, and thus the level of a scan signal Vscan(n−1)changes from a low level to a high level. This starts one horizontaldisplay period 1H.

Then, in the touch detection period A, the drive electrode driver 14applies the drive signal Vcom to the drive electrode COML of the (m−1)thcolumn, and thus the level of a drive signal Vcom(m−1) changes from alow level to a high level. The drive signal Vcom(m−1) is transmitted tothe touch detection electrode TDL via the electrostatic capacitance, andthus the touch detection signal Vdet changes. Then, a change in thelevel of the drive signal Vcom(m−1) from the high level to the low levelchanges the touch detection signal Vdet in the same manner. The waveformof the touch detection signal Vdet in the touch detection period Acorresponds to the touch detection signal Vdet in the above-describedbasic principle of touch detection. The A/D converter 43 performs thetouch detection by A/D-converting the touch detection signal Vdet in thetouch detection period A. This is how the display device with the touchdetection function 1 performs the touch detection for one detectionline.

Then, in the display period B, the source driver 13 applies the pixelsignals Vpix to the signal lines SGL to perform display for onehorizontal line. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the changes in the pixelsignals Vpix can be transmitted to the touch detection electrode TDL viaparasitic capacitance so as to change the touch detection signal Vdet.However, in the display period B, keeping the A/D converter 43 fromperforming the A/D conversion can suppress the influence of the changesin the pixel signals Vpix on the touch detection. After the sourcedriver 13 finishes supplying the pixel signals Vpix, the gate driver 12changes the level of the scan signal Vscan(n−1) of the scan line GCL ofthe (n−1)th row from the high level to the low level, and thus the onehorizontal display period finishes.

Then, the gate driver 12 applies the scan signal Vscan to the scan lineGCL of the nth row that is different from the previous one, and thus thelevel of a scan signal Vscan(n) changes from a low level to a highlevel. This starts the next one horizontal display period.

In the next touch detection period A, the drive electrode driver 14applies the drive signal Vcom to the drive electrode COML of the mthcolumn that is different from the previous one. Then, the A/D converter43 A/D-converts a change in the touch detection signal Vdet, and thusthe touch detection for this detection line is performed.

Then, in the display period B, the source driver 13 applies the pixelsignals Vpix to the signal lines SGL to perform display for onehorizontal line. The drive electrode driver 14 applies the display drivesignal Vcomd as a common potential to the drive electrode COML. Thepotential of the display drive signal Vcomd is, for example, a low-levelpotential of the touch drive signal Vcomt in the touch detection periodA. The display device with the touch detection function 1 of the presentembodiment performs dot inversion driving, so that the pixel signalsVpix applied by the source driver 13 have a polarity opposite to that inthe previous horizontal display period. After this display period Bfinishes, this horizontal display period 1H finishes.

From then on, the display device with the touch detection function 1repeats the above-described operation to perform the display operationby scanning the entire display surface and also to perform the touchdetection operation by scanning the entire touch detection surface.

In one horizontal display period (1H), the display device with the touchdetection function 1 performs the touch detection operation during thetouch detection period A and the display operation during the displayperiod B. Performing the touch detection operation and the displayoperation in separate periods in this manner allows the display devicewith the touch detection function 1 to perform both the touch detectionoperation and the display operation in the same horizontal displayperiod and to suppress the influence of the display operation on thetouch detection.

Arrangement of Touch Detection Electrodes

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement of the touchdetection electrodes TDL according to the first embodiment. FIG. 14 is aschematic diagram explaining relative positional relations between afirst end and a second end of a thin wire segment according to the firstembodiment. FIG. 15 is a chart illustrating moire evaluations for thedisplay device with the touch detection function 1 according to thefirst embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, the touch detection electrode TDL accordingto the first embodiment includes a plurality of conductive thin wires MLextending in a pixel arrangement direction Dy in a plane parallel to thecounter substrate 3. The conductive thin wires ML that are coupled atends MLe thereof with each other via first conductive portions TDB1belong to a detection area TDA. In the detection area TDA, theconductive thin wires ML are conductive with each other and extend witha certain space between each other. More than one of the detection areasTDA extends with a certain space between each other. The firstconductive portions TDB1 of the detection areas TDA are coupled to beconductive with each other via a second conductive portion TDB2. Thesecond conductive portion TDB2 is coupled to the touch detection unit 40illustrated in FIG. 1 via detection wiring TDG. The first conductiveportions TDB1 and the second conductive portions TDB2 are formed of thesame material as that of the conductive thin wires ML. Theabove-described configuration can reduce the number of the conductivethin wires ML, and causes the touch detection to be performed by morethan one of the conductive thin wires ML for a certain area so as to beable to reduce the resistance during the touch detection.

Each of the conductive thin wires ML includes thin wire segments Ua andthin wire segments Ub. Each of the thin wire segments Ua is a pattern ofelectrically conductive material extending at an angle with respect tothe pixel arrangement direction Dy, and includes a first end Ua1 and asecond end Ua2. In a similar manner, each of the thin wire segments Ubis a pattern of electrically conductive material extending in adirection different from the direction of extension of the thin wiresegment Ua, and includes a first end Ub1 and a second end Ub2. Thesecond end Ua2 of the thin wire segment Ua and the first end Ub1 of thethin wire segment Ub are connected to each other, and thus the thin wiresegments Ua and Ub are conductive with each other.

The connecting portion between the second end Ua2 of the thin wiresegment Ua and the first end Ub1 of the thin wire segment Ub forms abent portion TDC of the conductive thin wire ML. Thus, the thin wiresegments Ua and Ub are bent at a predetermined angle at each bentportion TDC. For example, the thin wire segments Ua and Ub of theconductive thin wire ML according to the first embodiment have the samelength. The degree of the angle between the direction of extension ofthe thin wire segment Ua and the pixel arrangement direction Dy is equalto the degree of the angle between the direction of extension of thethin wire segment Ub and the pixel arrangement direction Dy. Theconductive thin wire ML according to the first embodiment changes thedirection of bending toward a pixel orthogonal direction Dx at each bentportion TDC. The thin wire segments Ua and Ub preferably have a width inthe range from 2 μm to 10 μm, inclusive. This is because a width largerthan 10 μm can cause the thin wire segments Ua and Ub to be seen by aperson, and a width smaller than 2 μm increases the resistance of thethin wire segments Ua and Ub.

The conductive thin wire ML of the touch detection electrode TDL is ofan electrically conductive metal material, and is formed of a metalmaterial, such as aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), molybdenum(Mo), chromium (Cr), tungsten (W), or an alloy of these materials.Alternatively, the conductive thin wire ML of the touch detectionelectrode TDL is formed of an oxide (metal oxide) of aluminum (Al),copper (Cu), silver (Ag), molybdenum (Mo), chromium (Cr), or tungsten(W), and has electric conductivity. The conductive thin wire ML may be apatterned laminated body that has one or more layers of theabove-described metal material and/or the above-described metal oxide.The conductive thin wire ML may be a patterned laminated body that hasone or more layers of the metal material or the metal oxide describedabove, and/or a translucent conductive oxide such as ITO as a materialof translucent electrodes. The conductive thin wire ML has a lowerresistance than that of the translucent conductive oxide such as ITO asa material of translucent electrodes. The material of the conductivethin wire ML has a lower transmittance value than that of a material ofITO having the same film thickness. For example, the material of theconductive thin wire ML may have a transmittance value of 10% or less.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, the detection areas TDA are arranged with acertain space between each other. Areas in which the conductive thinwires ML of the touch detection electrode TDL are arranged and areas inwhich the conductive thin wires ML of the touch detection electrode TDLare not arranged have different levels of light-shielding effect fromeach other. This can cause the touch detection electrode TDL to beeasily visible. Therefore, dummy electrodes TDD that are not connectedto the detection wiring TDG are each arranged between the adjacentdetection areas TDA at the counter substrate 3. The dummy electrodes TDDare formed of the same material as that of the conductive thin wires MLof the touch detection electrode TDL. The dummy electrodes TDD may beformed of other material, and only needs to have a level of thelight-shielding effect comparable with that of the touch detectionelectrode TDL.

Each of the dummy electrodes TDD illustrated in FIG. 13 includes thinwire segments Uc and thin wire segments Ud. Each of the thin wiresegments Uc has a size comparable with that of the thin wire segment Ua,and is arranged parallel to the direction of extension of the thin wiresegment Ua. Each of the thin wire segments Ud has a size comparable withthat of the thin wire segment Ub, and is arranged parallel to thedirection of extension of the thin wire segment Ub. This reduces thedifference in the level of the light-shielding effect between the areasarranged with the touch detection electrodes TDL and the areas notarranged therewith, and thus can reduce the possibility of the touchdetection electrode TDL being seen.

The dummy electrode TDD includes, between the thin wire segments Uc andUd, a split portion TDDS that is a slit not containing the same materialas that of the conductive thin wire ML. This follows that the splitportion TDDS prevents electrical conduction between the thin wiresegments Uc and Ud, and thus generates a difference in capacitance fromthe touch detection electrode. This can reduce an influence of the dummyelectrode TDD on the absolute value |ΔV| illustrated in FIG. 6 when thefinger approaches both the touch detection electrode TDL and the dummyelectrode TDD during the touch detection. In this manner, the splitportion TDDS splits the dummy electrode TDD into portions having asmaller area than that of the conductive thin wire ML of the touchdetection electrode TDL, and thereby can reduce the influence of thedummy electrode TDD on accuracy of the touch detection. In theembodiments and modifications to be described below, the descriptionsabout the direction of extension of the thin wire segment Ua also applyto the direction of extension of the thin wire segment Uc. Thedescriptions about the direction of extension of the thin wire segmentUb also apply to the direction of extension of the thin wire segment Ud.

A description will be made of the pixel arrangement direction Dy and thepixel orthogonal direction Dx illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14. Asdescribed above, the display area Ad includes the pixels Pix, each ofwhich includes as a set the color regions 32R, 32G, and 32Bcorresponding to the respective sub-pixels SPix. The pixels Pix arearranged in a matrix along the directions parallel to the scan lines GCLand the signal lines SGL. The pixels Pix are arranged so that therespective sets of the color regions 32R, 32G, and 32B are adjacent toeach other with the scan line GCL interposed therebetween.

The pixel arrangement direction Dy is a direction of arrangement ofcolor regions having the highest human visibility. The pixel orthogonaldirection Dx is a direction orthogonal to the pixel arrangementdirection Dy in the plane parallel to a surface of the counter substrate3. Green (G) has the highest human visibility among the three colors ofred (R), green, (G), and blue (B). The pixel arrangement direction Dy inthe first embodiment is the direction parallel to the signal line SGLbecause the color regions 32G are arranged in the direction parallel tothe signal line SGL in FIG. 14.

For explanation of the relative positional relations between the firstend Ua1 of the thin wire segment Ua and the second end Ua2 of the thinwire segment Ua, xy coordinates are defined in FIG. 14 in which anarbitrary point among intersections between the scan lines GCL and thesignal lines SGL is defined as a point of origin P00, and thecoordinates of the point of origin P00 are represented as (0, 0). Thex-axis is set in the direction parallel to the pixel orthogonaldirection Dx, and the y-axis is set in the direction parallel to thepixel arrangement direction Dy. The maximum length of one of the pixelsPix in the x direction is defined as a unit length in the x direction.The maximum length of one of the pixels Pix in the y direction isdefined as a unit length in the y direction. The maximum length of oneof the pixels Pix in the x direction is represented as a first unitlength Lx1. The maximum length of one of the pixels Pix in the ydirection is represented as a second unit length Ly1.

For example, after a point moves from the point of origin P00 by thefirst unit length Lx1 in the x direction, and further moves by thesecond unit length Ly1 in the y direction, the coordinates of the pointresult in (1, 1). In this xy coordinate system, a point P01 is a pointof coordinates (0, 1). A point P15 is a point of coordinates (1, 5). Apoint P14 is a point of coordinates (1, 4). A point P13 is a point ofcoordinates (1, 3). A point P12 is a point of coordinates (1, 2). Apoint P35 is a point of coordinates (3, 5). A point P23 is a point ofcoordinates (2, 3). A point P34 is a point of coordinates (3, 4). Apoint P45 is a point of coordinates (4, 5). A point P56 is a point ofcoordinates (5, 6). A point P11 is a point of coordinates (1, 1). Apoint P65 is a point of coordinates (6, 5). A point P54 is a point ofcoordinates (5, 4). A point P43 is a point of coordinates (4, 3). Apoint P32 is a point of coordinates (3, 2). A point P53 is a point ofcoordinates (5, 3). A point P21 is a point of coordinates (2, 1). Apoint P31 is a point of coordinates (3, 1). A point P41 is a point ofcoordinates (4, 1). A point P51 is a point of coordinates (5, 1). Apoint P10 is a point of coordinates (1, 0).

Evaluation Examples

Assuming that the first end Ua1 of the thin wire segment Ua is in theposition of the point P00, evaluations about visibility of a moirepattern were conducted while changing the direction of positioning ofthe second end Ua2. The evaluation results will be described below asEvaluation Examples 1 to 21 illustrated in FIG. 15.

Evaluation Example 1

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 1, aplurality of thin wire segments parallel to the pixel arrangementdirection Dy are connected in sequence in the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 2

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 2, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua located at the point P00, the second end Ua2 is locatedat a point away from the point P00 in a direction toward the point P15that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends in adirection different from that of extension of the thin wire segment Ua.The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments and thepixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 3

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 3, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point P00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point P00 in a direction toward thepoint P14 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 4

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 4, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point P00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point P00 in a direction toward thepoint P13 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 5

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 5, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point P00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point P00 in a direction toward thepoint P12 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 6

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 6, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point P00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point P00 in a direction toward thepoint P35 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 7

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 7, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point P00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point P00 in a direction toward thepoint P23 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 8

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 8, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point P00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point P00 in a direction toward thepoint P34 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 9

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 9, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point P00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point P00 in a direction toward thepoint P45 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 10

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 10, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point P00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point P00 in a direction toward thepoint P56 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 11

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 11, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point P00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point P00 in a direction toward thepoint P11 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 12

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 12, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point P00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point P00 in a direction toward thepoint P65 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 13

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 13, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point P00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point P00 in a direction toward thepoint P54 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 14

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 14, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point P00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point P00 in a direction toward thepoint P43 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 15

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 15, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point P00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point P00 in a direction toward thepoint P32 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 16

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 16, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point P00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point P00 in a direction toward thepoint P53 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 17

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 17, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point P00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point P00 in a direction toward thepoint P21 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 18

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 18, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point P00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point P00 in a direction toward thepoint P31 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 19

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 19, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point P00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point P00 in a direction toward thepoint P41 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 20

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 20, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point P00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point P00 in a direction toward thepoint P51 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 21

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 21, aplurality of thin wire segments parallel to the pixel orthogonaldirection Dx are connected in sequence in the pixel orthogonal directionDx.

Evaluation

In the moire evaluation, the visibility for human eyes of the moirepattern formed by a display image of the display device with the touchdetection function 1 corresponding to each of Evaluation Examples 1 to21 is evaluated as four levels. The four-level criterion of the moireevaluation is as follows. The case that the moire pattern is not visiblefor the human eyes even at a distance of less than 30 cm from a surfaceof the display device with the touch detection function 1 is representedas the letter A. The case that the moire pattern is not visible for thehuman eyes only at a distance of 30 cm or larger from the display devicewith the touch detection function 1 is represented as the letter B. Thecase that the moire pattern is not visible for the human eyes only at adistance of 60 cm or larger from the display device with the touchdetection function 1 is represented as the letter C. The case that themoire pattern is visible for the human eyes even at a distance of 60 cmor larger from the display device with the touch detection function 1 isrepresented as the letter D.

Evaluation Examples 6 to 10, and 12 to 16 satisfy a first conditionstating as follows. The second end Ua2 of the thin wire segment Ua islocated at a point away from the first end Ua1 in the direction towardthe target position. The target position is distant from the first endUa1 in the pixel orthogonal direction Dx by an integral multiple of thefirst unit length Lx1, a value of which is two or larger, and is distantfrom the first end Ua1 in the pixel arrangement direction Dy by anintegral multiple of the second unit length Ly1, a value of which is twoor larger. The value of the integral multiple of the first unit lengthLx1 differs from the value of the integral multiple of the second unitlength Ly1. In other words, the first condition is as follows. Thesecond end Ua2 of the thin wire segment Ua is arranged away from thefirst end Ua1 in the direction toward the target position. The targetposition is distant from the first end Ua1 in the pixel orthogonaldirection Dx by N times of the first unit length Lx1, and is distantfrom the first end Ua1 in the pixel arrangement direction Dy by M timesof the second unit length Ly1. Each of N and M is an integer of 2 orlarger. N and M are different from each other. The moire evaluation ofthe conductive thin wire ML according to the first embodiment satisfyingthe first condition is rated as any one of A, B, or C in any ofEvaluation Examples 6 to 10, and 12 to 16, as illustrated in FIG. 15.Thus, the visibility of the moire pattern is suppressed.

Evaluation Examples 6, 8 to 10, 12 to 14, and 16 satisfy a secondcondition. The second condition is that the values of the integralmultiples of the first and the second unit lengths Lx1 and Ly1 have avalue of three or larger. In other words, the second condition is thateach of N and M is an integer of 3 or larger. The moire evaluation ofany of Evaluation Examples 6, 8 to 10, 12 to 14, and 16 satisfying thesecond condition is rated as A or B. Thus, the visibility of the moirepattern is further suppressed.

Evaluation Examples 8 to 10, and 12 to 14 satisfy a third condition. Thethird condition is that the difference between the values of theintegral multiples of the first and the second unit lengths Lx1 and Ly1is one. In other words, the third condition is that a difference betweenN and M is 1. The moire evaluation of any of Evaluation Examples 8 to10, and 12 to 14 is rated as A. Thus, the visibility of the moirepattern is further suppressed.

Advantages

As described above, the pixels Pix are arranged in a matrix along thedirections parallel to the scan lines GCL and the signal lines SGL. Ifthe scan lines GCL and the signal lines SGL are covered with a blackmatrix, the black matrix keeps light from transmitting. If the scanlines GCL and the signal lines SGL are not covered with a black matrix,the scan lines GCL and the signal lines SGL keeps light fromtransmitting. In the first embodiment, a periodic pattern of a pluralityof straight lines parallel to the pixel orthogonal direction Dx along adirection parallel to the scan lines GCL is likely to appear in thedisplay area Ad. A periodic pattern caused by a plurality of straightlines parallel to the pixel arrangement direction Dy along a directionparallel to the signal lines SGL is likely to appear in the display areaAd. Therefore, when the touch detection electrodes TDL are laminated ina direction orthogonal to a surface of the display area Ad, the patternsappearing in the display area Ad interfere the touch detectionelectrodes TDL to form a light-dark pattern, and thereby the moirepattern can be seen.

In the display device with the touch detection function 1 according tothe first embodiment, the inclusion of the thin wire segments Uasatisfying the above-described first condition in the conductive thinwire ML makes the period of the light-dark pattern short enough to beinvisible for the person. For example, the thin wire segments Uaaccording to the first embodiment extend at angles to the pixelorthogonal direction Dx and the pixel arrangement direction Dy.Satisfaction of the above-described first condition makes the angleshave certain degrees or larger. This is likely to shorten the period ofthe light-dark pattern. As a result, in the display device with thetouch detection function 1 according to the first embodiment, theinclusion of the thin wire segments Ua satisfying the above-describedfirst condition in the conductive thin wire ML can reduce thepossibility of the moire pattern being seen.

When the thin wire segment Ua satisfies the second condition in additionto the first condition, it is possible to further reduce the possibilityof the moire pattern being seen because the above-described period ofthe light-dark pattern further shortens.

When the thin wire segment Ua satisfies the third condition in additionto the first and second conditions, it is possible to further reduce thepossibility of the moire pattern being seen because the above-describedperiod of the light-dark pattern further shortens.

When both of the thin wire segments Ua and Ub satisfy the firstcondition, the display device with the touch detection function 1according to the first embodiment can reduce the possibility of themoire pattern being seen. When both of the thin wire segments Ua and Ubsatisfy the second condition, the display device with the touchdetection function 1 according to the first embodiment can furtherreduce the possibility of the moire pattern being seen. When both of thethin wire segments Ua and Ub satisfy the third condition, the displaydevice with the touch detection function 1 according to the firstembodiment can further reduce the possibility of the moire pattern beingseen.

Forming the touch detection electrodes TDL and the drive electrodes COMLof the electrically conductive material such as a metallic material cancause electrolytic corrosion to occur. For this reason, the displaydevice with the touch detection function 1 according to the firstembodiment has the touch detection electrodes TDL and the driveelectrodes COML positioned in different planes with the glass substrate31 interposed therebetween in a direction orthogonal to the surface ofthe glass substrate 31. This allows the display device with the touchdetection function 1 according to the first embodiment to keep theelectrolytic corrosion from occurring. The drive electrodes COML arepreferably formed of a translucent material. This can reduce thepossibility of the moire pattern being seen due to the interferencebetween the touch detection electrodes TDL and the drive electrodesCOML.

The drive electrodes COML is arranged on the TFT substrate 21 that facesthe surface of the glass substrate 31 in the direction orthogonalthereto. When the surface of the glass substrate 31 and the driveelectrodes COML are apart from each other in the direction orthogonal tothe surface of the glass substrate 31, the difference between the periodof the pattern appearing in the display area Ad and the period ofarrangement of the drive electrodes COML changes depending on the angleof view of the person. However, arranging the drive electrodes COML onthe TFT substrate 21 can reduce the change in the difference between theperiod of the pattern appearing in the display area Ad and the period ofarrangement of the drive electrodes COML depending on the angle of viewof the person. The drive electrodes COML according to the firstembodiment are arranged so as to extend in the pixel arrangementdirection Dy or the pixel orthogonal direction Dx described above. Thismakes the drive electrodes COML extend in the direction parallel to thescan lines GCL or the signal lines SGL, and thus can make reduction inan aperture ratio less likely.

1-1C. First Modification of First Embodiment

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram explaining relative positional relationsbetween the first end and the second end of the thin wire segmentaccording to a first modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 17 is achart illustrating moire evaluations for evaluation examples accordingto the first modification of the first embodiment. The display area Adincludes a plurality of pixels Pix, each of which includes, as a set,color regions 32R, 32G, 32B, and 32W corresponding to respectivesub-pixels SPix. The pixels Pix are arranged in a matrix along thedirections parallel to the scan lines GCL and the signal lines SGL. Thepixels Pix are arranged so that the respective sets of the color regions32R, 32G, 32B, and 32W are adjacent to each other with the scan line GCLinterposed therebetween.

The pixel arrangement direction Dy is a direction of arrangement ofcolor regions having the highest human visibility. White (W) has thehighest human visibility among four colors of red (R), green, (G), blue(B), and white (W). The pixel arrangement direction Dy is the directionparallel to the signal line SGL because the color regions 32W arearranged in the direction parallel to the signal line SGL in FIG. 16.

For explanation of the relative positional relations between the firstend Ua1 of the thin wire segment Ua and the second end Ua2 of the thinwire segment Ua, xy coordinates are defined in FIG. 16 in which anarbitrary point among intersections between the scan lines GCL and thesignal lines SGL is defined as a point of origin Q00, and thecoordinates of the point of origin Q00 are represented as (0, 0). Thex-axis is set in the direction parallel to the pixel orthogonaldirection Dx, and the y-axis is set in the direction parallel to thepixel arrangement direction Dy. The maximum length of one of the pixelsPix in the x direction is defined as a unit length in the x direction.The maximum length of one of the pixels Pix in the y direction isdefined as a unit length in the y direction. The maximum length of oneof the pixels Pix in the x direction is represented as a first unitlength Lx2. The maximum length of one of the pixels Pix in the ydirection is represented as a second unit length Ly2.

For example, after a point moves from the point of origin Q00 by thefirst unit length Lx2 in the x direction, and further moves by thesecond unit length Ly2 in the y direction, the coordinates of the pointresult in (1, 1). In this xy coordinate system, a point Q01 is a pointof coordinates (0, 1). A point Q15 is a point of coordinates (1, 5). Apoint Q14 is a point of coordinates (1, 4). A point Q13 is a point ofcoordinates (1, 3). A point Q12 is a point of coordinates (1, 2). Apoint Q35 is a point of coordinates (3, 5). A point Q23 is a point ofcoordinates (2, 3). A point Q34 is a point of coordinates (3, 4). Apoint Q45 is a point of coordinates (4, 5). A point Q56 is a point ofcoordinates (5, 6). A point Q11 is a point of coordinates (1, 1). Apoint Q65 is a point of coordinates (6, 5). A point Q54 is a point ofcoordinates (5, 4). A point Q43 is a point of coordinates (4, 3). Apoint Q32 is a point of coordinates (3, 2). A point Q53 is a point ofcoordinates (5, 3). A point Q21 is a point of coordinates (2, 1). Apoint Q31 is a point of coordinates (3, 1). A point Q41 is a point ofcoordinates (4, 1). A point Q51 is a point of coordinates (5, 1). Apoint Q10 is a point of coordinates (1, 0).

Evaluation Examples

Assuming that the first end Ua1 of the thin wire segment Ua is in theposition of the point Q00, evaluations about the visibility of the moirepattern were conducted while changing the direction of positioning ofthe second end Ua2. The evaluation results will be described below asEvaluation Examples 22 to 42 illustrated in FIG. 17.

Evaluation Example 22

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 22, aplurality of thin wire segments parallel to the pixel arrangementdirection Dy are connected in sequence in the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 23

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 23, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point Q00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point Q00 in a direction toward thepoint Q15 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 24

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 24, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point Q00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point Q00 in a direction toward thepoint Q14 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 25

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 25, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point Q00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point Q00 in a direction toward thepoint Q13 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 26

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 26, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point Q00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point Q00 in a direction toward thepoint Q12 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 27

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 27, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point Q00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point Q00 in a direction toward thepoint Q35 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 28

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 28, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point Q00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point Q00 in a direction toward thepoint Q23 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 29

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 29, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point Q00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point Q00 in a direction toward thepoint Q34 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 30

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 30, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point Q00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point Q00 in a direction toward thepoint Q45 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 31

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 31, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point Q00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point Q00 in a direction toward thepoint Q56 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 32

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 32, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point Q00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point Q00 in a direction toward thepoint Q11 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 33

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 33, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point Q00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point Q00 in a direction toward thepoint Q65 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 34

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 34, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point Q00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point Q00 in a direction toward thepoint Q54 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 35

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 35, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point Q00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point Q00 in a direction toward thepoint Q43 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 36

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 36, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point Q00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point Q00 in a direction toward thepoint Q32 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 37

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 37, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point Q00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point Q00 in a direction toward thepoint Q53 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 38

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 38, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point Q00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point Q00 in a direction toward thepoint Q21 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 39

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 39, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point Q00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point Q00 in a direction toward thepoint Q31 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 40

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 40, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point Q00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point Q00 in a direction toward thepoint Q41 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 41

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 41, the thinwire segments Ua and Ub are alternately connected in sequence. The thinwire segment Ua is arranged so that, when the first end Ua1 of the thinwire segment Ua is located at the point Q00, the second end Ua2 islocated at a point away from the point Q00 in a direction toward thepoint Q51 that is a target position. The thin wire segment Ub extends ina direction different from that of extension of the thin wire segmentUa. The degree of the angle between one of the thin wire segments andthe pixel arrangement direction Dy is equal to the degree of the anglebetween the other of the thin wire segments and the pixel arrangementdirection Dy.

Evaluation Example 42

In the conductive thin wire according to Evaluation Example 42, aplurality of thin wire segments parallel to the pixel orthogonaldirection Dx are connected in sequence in the pixel orthogonal directionDx.

Evaluation

In the moire evaluation, the visibility for human eyes of the moirepattern formed by the display image of the display device with the touchdetection function 1 corresponding to each of Evaluation Examples 22 to42 was evaluated. The criterion for the moire pattern is the same asthat of the first embodiment.

Evaluation Examples 27 to 31, and 33 to 37 satisfy a first conditionstating as follows. The second end Ua2 of the thin wire segment Ua islocated at a point away from the first end Ua1 in the direction towardthe target position. The target position is distant from the first endUa1 in the pixel orthogonal direction Dx by an integral multiple of thefirst unit length Lx2, a value of which is two or larger, and is distantfrom the first end Ua1 in the pixel arrangement direction Dy by anintegral multiple of the second unit length Ly2, a value of which is twoor larger. The value of the integral multiple of the first unit lengthLx2 differs from the value of the integral multiple of the second unitlength Ly2. In other words, the first condition is as follows. Thesecond end Ua2 of the thin wire segment Ua is arranged away from thefirst end Ua1 in the direction toward the target position. The targetposition is distant from the first end Ua1 in the pixel orthogonaldirection Dx by N times of the first unit length Lx2, and is distantfrom the first end Ua1 in the pixel arrangement direction Dy by M timesof the second unit length Ly2. Each of N and M is an integer of 2 orlarger. N and M are different from each other. The moire evaluation israted as any one of A, B, or B in any of Evaluation Examples 27 to 31,and 33 to 37. Thus, the visibility of the moire pattern is suppressed.

Evaluation Examples 27, 29 to 31, 33 to 35, and 37 satisfy a secondcondition. The second condition is that the values of the integralmultiples of the first and the second unit lengths Lx2 and Ly2 have avalue of three or larger. In other words, the second condition is thateach of N and M is an integer of 3 or larger. The moire evaluation ofany of Evaluation Examples 27, 29 to 31, 33 to 35, and 37 is rated as Aor B. Thus, the visibility of the moire pattern is further suppressed.

Evaluation Examples 29 to 31, and 33 to 35 satisfy a third condition.The third condition is that the difference between the values of theintegral multiples of the first and the second unit lengths Lx2 and Ly2is one. In other words, the third condition is that a difference betweenN and M is 1. The moire evaluation of any of Evaluation Examples 29 to31, and 33 to 35 is rated as A. Thus, the visibility of the moirepattern is further suppressed.

Advantages

In the display device with the touch detection function 1 according tothe first modification of the first embodiment, the inclusion of thethin wire segments Ua satisfying the above-described first condition inthe conductive thin wire ML makes the period of the light-dark patternshort enough to be invisible for the person. For example, the thin wiresegments Ua according to the first modification of the first embodimentextend at angles to the pixel orthogonal direction Dx and the pixelarrangement direction Dy. Satisfaction of the above-described firstcondition makes the angles have certain degrees or larger. This islikely to shorten the period of the light-dark pattern. As a result, inthe display device with the touch detection function 1 according to thefirst modification of the first embodiment, the inclusion of the thinwire segments Ua satisfying the above-described first condition in theconductive thin wire ML can reduce the possibility of the moire patternbeing seen.

When the thin wire segment Ua satisfies the second condition in additionto the first condition, it is possible to further reduce the possibilityof the moire pattern being seen because the above-described period ofthe light-dark pattern further shortens.

When the thin wire segment Ua satisfies the third condition in additionto the first and second conditions, it is possible to further reduce thepossibility of the moire pattern being seen because the above-describedperiod of the light-dark pattern is further reduced.

When both of the thin wire segments Ua and Ub satisfy the firstcondition, the display device with the touch detection function 1according to the first modification of the first embodiment can reducethe possibility of the moire pattern being seen. When both of the thinwire segments Ua and Ub satisfy the second condition, the display devicewith the touch detection function 1 according to the first modificationof the first embodiment can further reduce the possibility of the moirepattern being seen. When both of the thin wire segments Ua and Ubsatisfy the third condition, the display device with the touch detectionfunction 1 according to the first modification of the first embodimentcan further reduce the possibility of the moire pattern being seen.

1-1D. Second Modification of First Embodiment

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram for explaining a configuration of a touchdetection electrode TDL according to a second modification of the firstembodiment. The thin wire segments Ua and Ub in the first embodimentextend toward the same direction in the pixel orthogonal direction Dxfrom the bent portion TDC serving as the connecting portion between thesecond end Ua2 of the thin wire segment Ua and the first end Ub1 of thethin wire segment Ub. The second modification of the first embodimentincludes portions in which the thin wire segments adjacent to each otherat the bent portion TDC extend toward different directions in the pixelorthogonal direction Dx from the bent portion TDC.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged diagram of a portion of a conductive thin wire MLaccording the second modification of the first embodiment. Theconductive thin wire ML includes portions at which thin wire segmentsUe, Uf, Ug, Uh, Ui, and Uj are connected together.

A second end Ue2 of the thin wire segment Ue and a first end Uf1 of thethin wire segment Uf are connected to each other, and thus the thin wiresegments Ue and Uf are conductive with each other. The portion at whichthe second end Ue2 of the thin wire segment Ue and the first end Uf1 ofthe thin wire segment Uf are connected to each other serves as a bentportion TDC1. The thin wire segments Ue and Uf extend toward differentdirections in the pixel orthogonal direction Dx from the bent portionTDC1.

A second end Uf2 of the thin wire segment Uf and a first end Ug1 of thethin wire segment Ug are connected to each other, and thus the thin wiresegments Uf and Ug are conductive with each other. The portion at whichthe second end Uf2 of the thin wire segment Uf and the first end Ug1 ofthe thin wire segment Ug are connected to each other serves as a bentportion TDC2. The thin wire segments Uf and Ug extend toward differentdirections in the pixel orthogonal direction Dx from the bent portionTDC2.

A second end Ug2 of the thin wire segment Ug and a first end Uh1 of thethin wire segment Uh are connected to each other, and thus the thin wiresegments Ug and Uh are conductive with each other. The portion at whichthe second end Ug2 of the thin wire segment Ug and the first end Uh1 ofthe thin wire segment Uh are connected to each other serves as a bentportion TDC3. The thin wire segments Ug and Uh extend toward the samedirection in the pixel orthogonal direction Dx from the bent portionTDC3.

A second end Uh2 of the thin wire segment Uh and a first end Ui1 of thethin wire segment Ui are connected to each other, and thus the thin wiresegments Uh and Ui are conductive with each other. The portion at whichthe second end Uh2 of the thin wire segment Uh and the first end Ui1 ofthe thin wire segment Ui are connected to each other serves as a bentportion TDC4. The thin wire segments Uh and Ui extend toward differentdirections in the pixel orthogonal direction Dx from the bent portionTDC4.

A second end Ui2 of the thin wire segment Ui and a first end Uj1 of thethin wire segment Uj are connected to each other, and thus the thin wiresegments Ui and Uj are conductive with each other. The portion at whichthe second end Ui2 of the thin wire segment Ui and the first end Uj1 ofthe thin wire segment Uj are connected to each other serves as a bentportion TDC5. The thin wire segments Ui and Uj extend toward differentdirections in the pixel orthogonal direction Dx from the bent portionTDC5.

Advantages

In the display device with the touch detection function 1 according tothe second modification of the first embodiment, the inclusion of atleast one of the thin wire segments Ue, Uf, Ug, Uh, Ui, and Ujsatisfying the first condition stated in the first embodiment can reducethe possibility of the moire pattern being seen. This is becausevariation in the above-described period of the light-dark pattern amongareas including the respective thin wire segments Ue, Uf, Ug, Uh, Ui,and Uj obscures the period of the light-dark pattern to the extent ofbeing invisible for the person.

The thin wire segments Ue, Uf, Ug, Uh, Ui, and Uj according to thesecond modification of the first embodiment extend at angles to thepixel orthogonal direction Dx and the pixel arrangement direction Dy.When some of the thin wire segments Ue, Uf, Ug, Uh, Ui, and Uj accordingto the second modification of the first embodiment satisfy the firstcondition, the angles thereof have certain degrees or larger, so thatthe period of the light-dark pattern shortens. When all of the thin wiresegments Ue, Uf, Ug, Uh, Ui, and Uj according to the second modificationof the first embodiment satisfy the first condition, the angles thereofhave certain degrees or larger, so that the period of the light-darkpattern further shortens. When the thin wire segments Ue, Uf, Ug, Uh,Ui, and Uj satisfy the second condition in addition to the firstcondition, it is possible to further reduce the possibility of the moirepattern being seen because the above-described period of the light-darkpattern further shortens.

When the thin wire segments Ue, Uf, Ug, Uh, Ui, and Uj satisfy the thirdcondition in addition to the first and second conditions, it is possibleto further reduce the possibility of the moire pattern being seenbecause the above-described period of the light-dark pattern furthershortens.

1-2. Second Embodiment

A display device with a touch detection function 1 according to a secondembodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. FIG. 19 isa schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement of touch detectionelectrodes TDL according to the second embodiment. The same constituentelements as those described in the first embodiment above will be giventhe same numerals, and duplicate description thereof will be omitted.

As illustrated in FIG. 19, each of the touch detection electrodes TDLaccording to the second embodiment includes a conductive thin wire ML1and a conductive thin wire ML2 extending in a pixel arrangementdirection Dy in the plane parallel to the counter substrate 3. A set ofthe conductive thin wires ML1 and ML2 form the detection area TDA. EndsML1e of the conductive thin wire ML1 and corresponding ends ML2e of theconductive thin wire ML2 are connected to be conductive with each othervia the corresponding first conductive portion TDB1.

The conductive thin wire ML1 corresponds to the conductive thin wire MLillustrated in the first embodiment. The conductive thin wire ML2 has ashape axisymmetric to the conductive thin wire ML1 with respect to astraight line parallel to the pixel arrangement direction Dy as an axisof symmetry. The conductive thin wire ML2 is formed of the same materialas that of the conductive thin wire ML1. The conductive thin wire ML2 isarranged so as to form intersections TDX at which the bent portions TDCof the conductive thin wire ML1 are connected with the bent portions TDCof the conductive thin wire ML2. The conductive thin wires ML1 and ML2are conductive with each other at the intersections TDX. This leads theconductive thin wires ML1 and ML2 to form surrounded areas mesh1surrounded by the thin wire segments Ua and Ub. The conductive thinwires ML1 and ML2 need not be connected at the bent portions TDC. Theconductive thin wires ML1 and ML2 may be connected to be conductive witheach other, for example, between intermediate portions of the thin wiresegments Ua in the conductive thin wire ML1 and intermediate portions ofthe thin wire segments Ub in the conductive thin wire ML2, respectively.

The dummy electrode TDD includes the thin wire segments Uc and Ud. Thethin wire segments Uc are arranged parallel to the thin wire segmentsUa, and the thin wire segments Ud are arranged parallel to the thin wiresegments Ub. The thin wire segments Uc and Ud are arranged so that asurrounded area mesh2 surrounded by two of the thin wire segments Uc andtwo of the thin wire segments Ud has the same area as that of each ofthe surrounded areas mesh1. This reduces the difference in the level ofthe light-shielding effect between the areas arranged with the touchdetection electrodes TDL and the areas not arranged therewith, and thuscan reduce the possibility of the touch detection electrode TDL beinglikely to be seen.

Advantages

If one of the conductive thin wires ML1 and ML2 becomes partly thinnerand unreliable in conductivity in the display device with the touchdetection function 1 according to the second embodiment, theabove-described configuration can increase probability of the touchdetection by coupling the conductive thin wire to the other conductivethin wire at the intersections TDX.

1-3. Third Embodiment

A display device with a touch detection function 1 according to a thirdembodiment will be described below. FIG. 20 is a schematic diagramexplaining relative positional relations between the first end and thesecond end of the thin wire segment according to the third embodiment.The same constituent elements as those described in the first embodimentabove will be given the same numerals, and duplicate description thereofwill be omitted.

The color regions 32R, 32G, and 32B correspond to the respectivesub-pixels SPix, and constitute each of the pixels Pix as a set. Asillustrated in FIG. 20, the pixels Pix are arranged in a matrix alongthe directions parallel to the scan lines GCL and the signal lines SGL.The pixels Pix are arranged so that the color regions having the samecolor are adjacent to each other neither in the direction parallel tothe scan lines GCL nor in the direction parallel to the signal linesSGL.

The pixel arrangement direction Dy is a direction of arrangement ofcolor regions having the highest human visibility. Green (G) has thehighest human visibility among the three colors of red (R), green, (G),and blue (B). Because the color regions 32G are arranged in a diagonaldirection of each of the color regions 32G in FIG. 20, the pixelarrangement direction Dy in the third embodiment is in the diagonaldirection of the color region 32G.

For explanation of the relative positional relations between the firstand the second ends Ua1 and Ua2 of the thin wire segment Ua, xycoordinates are defined in FIG. 20 in which an arbitrary point amongintersections between the scan lines GCL and the signal lines SGL isdefined as a point of origin R00, and the coordinates of the point oforigin R00 are represented as (0, 0). The x-axis is set in the directionparallel to the pixel orthogonal direction Dx, and the y-axis is set inthe direction parallel to the pixel arrangement direction Dy. Themaximum length of one of the pixels Pix in the x direction is defined asa unit length in the x direction. The maximum length of one of thepixels Pix in the y direction is defined as a unit length in the ydirection. The maximum length of one of the pixels Pix in the xdirection is represented as a first unit length Lx3. The maximum lengthof one of the pixels Pix in the y direction is represented as a secondunit length Ly3.

For example, after a point moves from the point of origin R00 by thefirst unit length Lx3 in the x direction, and further moves by thesecond unit length Ly3 in the y direction, the coordinates of the pointresult in (1, 1). In this xy coordinate system, a point R01 is a pointof coordinates (0, 1). A point R15 is a point of coordinates (1, 5). Apoint R14 is a point of coordinates (1, 4). A point R13 is a point ofcoordinates (1, 3). A point R12 is a point of coordinates (1, 2). Apoint R35 is a point of coordinates (3, 5). A point R23 is a point ofcoordinates (2, 3). A point R34 is a point of coordinates (3, 4). Apoint R45 is a point of coordinates (4, 5). A point R56 is a point ofcoordinates (5, 6). A point R11 is a point of coordinates (1, 1). Apoint R65 is a point of coordinates (6, 5). A point R54 is a point ofcoordinates (5, 4). A point R43 is a point of coordinates (4, 3). Apoint R32 is a point of coordinates (3, 2). A point R53 is a point ofcoordinates (5, 3). A point R21 is a point of coordinates (2, 1). Apoint R31 is a point of coordinates (3, 1). A point R41 is a point ofcoordinates (4, 1). A point R51 is a point of coordinates (5, 1). Apoint R10 is a point of coordinates (1, 0).

Advantages

In the third embodiment, the thin wire segment Ua illustrated in FIG. 13or 19 satisfies the first condition in the following case. The case issuch that, when the first end Ua1 of the thin wire segment Ua ispositioned at the point R00, the second end Ua2 is located at a pointaway from the point R00 in the direction toward a target position, andthe target position is any one of the points R35, R23, R34, R45, R56,R65, R54, R43, R32, and R53. Satisfaction of the first condition by thethin wire segment Ua can reduce the possibility of the moire patternbeing seen.

In the third embodiment, the thin wire segment Ua illustrated in FIG. 13or 19 satisfies the first and the second conditions in the followingcase. The case is such that, when the first end Ua1 of the thin wiresegment Ua is positioned at the point R00, the second end Ua2 is locatedat a point away from the point R00 in the direction toward a targetposition, and the target position is any one of the points R35, R34,R45, R56, R65, R54, R43, and R53. Satisfaction of the first and thesecond conditions by the thin wire segment Ua can further reduce thepossibility of the moire pattern being seen.

In the third embodiment, the thin wire segment Ua illustrated in FIG. 13or 19 satisfies the first, the second, and the third conditions in thefollowing case. The case is such that, when the first end Ua1 of thethin wire segment Ua is positioned at the point R00, the second end Ua2is located at a point away from the point R00 in the direction toward atarget position, and the target position is any one of the points R34,R45, R56, R65, R54, and R43. Satisfaction of the first, the second, andthe third conditions by the thin wire segment Ua can further reduce thepossibility of the moire pattern being seen.

Satisfaction of the first condition by both of the thin wire segments Uaand Ub illustrated in FIG. 13 or 19 can also reduce the possibility ofthe moire pattern being seen. Satisfaction of the second condition byboth of the thin wire segments Ua and Ub can further reduce thepossibility of the moire pattern being seen. Satisfaction of the thirdcondition by both of the thin wire segments Ua and Ub can further reducethe possibility of the moire pattern being seen.

1-4. Fourth Embodiment

A display device with a touch detection function 1 according to a fourthembodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. FIG. 21 isa schematic diagram for explaining the pixel arrangement direction Dyaccording to the fourth embodiment. The same constituent elements asthose described in the first embodiment above will be given the samenumerals, and duplicate description thereof will be omitted.

Color regions 32R, 32G, 32B, and 32W of four colors of red (R), green,(G), blue (B), and white (W) correspond to the respective sub-pixelsSPix. A set of color regions 32R, 32G, and 32B and a set of colorregions 32R, 32G, and 32W constitute respective pixels Pix. The pixelPix constituted by the color regions 32R, 32G, and 32B is represented asa pixel Pix1, and the pixel Pix constituted by the color regions 32R,32G, and 32W is represented as a pixel Pix2. As illustrated in FIG. 21,the pixels Pix are arranged in a matrix along the directions parallel tothe scan lines GCL and the signal lines SGL. The pixels Pix1 and Pix2are arranged so that the pixels Pix1 are not adjacent to each other andthe pixels Pix2 are not adjacent to each other in either of thedirection parallel to the scan lines GCL or the direction parallel tothe signal lines SGL.

The pixel arrangement direction Dy is a direction of arrangement ofcolor regions having the highest human visibility. White (W) has thehighest human visibility among the four colors of red (R), green, (G),blue (B), and white (W). However, none of the color regions 32W areadjacent to each other, so that no direction of arrangement thereof isavailable. In this case, a direction of arrangement of color regionshaving the second highest human visibility serves as the pixelarrangement direction Dy. Green (G) has the highest human visibilityamong the three colors of red (R), green, (G), and blue (B), excludingwhite (W). The pixel arrangement direction Dy is the direction parallelto the signal line SGL because the color regions 32G are arranged in thedirection parallel to the signal line SGL in FIG. 21.

1-5. Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematiccross-sectional structure of a display unit with a touch detectionfunction according to a fifth embodiment. In the display device with thetouch detection function 1 according to any of the embodiments and themodifications thereof described above, the liquid crystal display unit20 using the liquid crystals of one of the various modes, such as theFFS mode and the IPS mode, can be integrated with the touch detectiondevice 30 to provide the display unit with the touch detection function10. A display unit with a touch detection function 10 according to thefifth embodiment illustrated in FIG. 22 may instead be provided byintegrating the touch detection device with liquid crystals of one ofvarious modes, such as a twisted nematic (TN) mode, a vertical alignment(VA) mode, and an electrically controlled birefringence (ECB) mode.

2. Application Examples

With reference to FIGS. 23 to 35, a description will be made below ofapplication examples of the display device with the touch detectionfunction 1 described in any one of the first to fifth embodiments andthe modifications thereof. FIGS. 23 to 35 are diagrams each illustratingan example of an electronic apparatus to which the display device withthe touch detection function or the display device according to any ofthe above-mentioned embodiments and modifications thereof is applied.The display device with the touch detection function 1 or the displaydevice according to any of the above-mentioned embodiments and themodifications thereof can be applied to electronic apparatuses in allfields, such as television devices, digital cameras, laptop computers,portable electronic apparatuses including mobile phones, and videocameras. In other words, the display device with the touch detectionfunction 1 or the display device according to any of the above-describedembodiments and the modifications thereof can be applied to electronicapparatuses in all fields that display externally received video signalsor internally generated video signals as images or video pictures.

Application Example 1

The electronic apparatus illustrated in FIG. 23 is a television deviceto which the display device with the touch detection function 1 or thedisplay device according to any of the first to fifth embodiments andthe modifications thereof is applied. This television device includes,for example, a video display screen unit 510 that includes a front panel511 and a filter glass 512. The video display screen unit 510corresponds to the display device with the touch detection function 1 orthe display device according to any of the first to fifth embodimentsand the modifications thereof.

Application Example 2

The electronic apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25 is a digitalcamera to which the display device with the touch detection function 1or the display device according to any of the first to fifth embodimentsand the modifications thereof is applied. This digital camera includes,for example, a light-emitting unit 521 for flash, a display unit 522, amenu switch 523, and a shutter button 524. The display unit 522corresponds to the display device with the touch detection function 1 orthe display device according to any of the first to fifth embodimentsand the modifications thereof.

Application Example 3

The electronic apparatus illustrated in FIG. 26 represents an externalappearance of a video camera to which the display device with the touchdetection function 1 or the display device according to any of the firstto fifth embodiments and the modifications thereof is applied. Thisvideo camera includes, for example, a body 531, a lens 532 forphotographing a subject provided on the front side face of the body 531,and a start/stop switch 533 for photographing, and a display unit 534.The display unit 534 corresponds to the display device with the touchdetection function 1 or the display device according to any of the firstto fifth embodiments and the modifications thereof.

Application Example 4

The electronic apparatus illustrated in FIG. 27 is a laptop computer towhich the display device with the touch detection function 1 or thedisplay device according to any of the first to fifth embodiments andthe modifications thereof is applied. This laptop computer includes, forexample, a body 541, a keyboard 542 for input operation of characters,for example, and a display unit 543 that displays images. The displayunit 543 corresponds to the display device with the touch detectionfunction 1 or the display device according to any of the first to fifthembodiments and the modifications thereof.

Application Example 5

The electronic apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 28 to 35 is a mobile phoneto which the display device with the touch detection function 1 or thedisplay device according to any of the first to fifth embodiments andthe modifications thereof is applied. This mobile phone is, for example,composed of an upper housing 551 and a lower housing 552 connected toeach other by a connection unit (hinge unit) 553, and includes a display554, a subdisplay 555, a picture light 556, and a camera 557. Thedisplay 554 and/or the subdisplay 555 correspond(s) to the displaydevice with the touch detection function 1 or the display deviceaccording to any of the first to fifth embodiments and the modificationsthereof.

Application Example 6

The electronic apparatus illustrated in FIG. 35 is a portableinformation terminal that operates as a portable computer, amultifunctional mobile phone, a portable computer with voice callcapability, or a portable computer with communication capability, andthat is sometimes called a smartphone or a tablet computer. Thisportable information terminal includes, for example, a display unit 562on a surface of a housing 561. The display unit 562 corresponds to thedisplay device with the touch detection function 1 or the display deviceaccording to any of the first to fifth embodiments and the modificationsthereof.

3. Aspects of Present Disclosure

The present disclosure includes the following aspects.

(1) A display device with a touch detection function comprising:

a substrate;

a display area in which pixels each constituted by a plurality of colorregions are arranged in a matrix in a plane parallel to a surface of thesubstrate;

a touch detection electrode that includes a conductive thin wireextending in a plane parallel to the surface of the substrate, theconductive thin wire including a plurality of thin wire segments eachhaving a linear shape and including a first end and a second end, thesecond end of one of adjacent thin wire segments and the first end ofthe other of the adjacent thin wire segments being connected to eachother;

a drive electrode that has electrostatic capacitance with respect to thetouch detection electrode; and

a display function layer having a function of displaying an image in thedisplay area, wherein

when it is assumed that a direction of arrangement of color regionshaving the highest human visibility among the color regions is definedas a pixel arrangement direction, that a maximum length of one of thepixels in a pixel orthogonal direction orthogonal to the pixelarrangement direction in the plane parallel to the surface of thesubstrate is defined as a first unit length, and that a maximum lengthof one of the pixels in a direction parallel to the pixel arrangementdirection is defined as a second unit length,

the plurality of thin wire segments included in the conductive thin wireincludes a thin wire segment extending in a direction different from thepixel arrangement direction, and the second end of the thin wire segmentis located at a place away from the first end in a direction toward atarget position, where the target position is distant from the first endof the thin wire segment in the pixel orthogonal direction by N times ofthe first unit length, and is distant from the first end of the thinwire segment in the pixel arrangement direction by M times of the secondunit length, each of N and M is an integer of 2 or larger, and N and Mare different from each other.

(2) The display device with the touch detection function according to(1), wherein each of N and M is an integer of 3 or larger.

(3) The display device with the touch detection function according to(2), wherein a difference between N and M is 1.

(4) The display device with the touch detection function according to(1), wherein in the adjacent thin wire segments, a portion at which thesecond end of one of the adjacent thin wire segments is connected to thefirst end of the other of the thin wire segments forms a bent portion,from which the one of the adjacent thin wire segments extends at anangle with respect to the pixel arrangement direction, and the other ofthe adjacent thin wire segments extends in a direction different fromthat of the one of the adjacent thin wire segments so as to change theangle with respect to the pixel arrangement direction at the bentportion.(5) The display device with the touch detection function according to(1), wherein

a plurality of such conductive thin wires are arranged in the planeparallel to the surface of the substrate and are arranged so as to forman intersecting portion where the thin wire segments of the conductivethin wires adjacent to each other intersect, and

one of the adjacent conductive thin wires is connected to the thin wiresegments of the other of the adjacent conductive thin wires at theintersecting portion.

(6) The display device with the touch detection function according to(1), wherein

the touch detection electrode and the drive electrode are arranged indifferent planes with the substrate interposed therebetween in adirection orthogonal to the surface of the substrate; and

the drive electrode is translucent.

(7) The display device with the touch detection function according to(6), wherein the drive electrode extends in the pixel arrangementdirection or the pixel orthogonal direction.

(8) An electronic apparatus comprising:

a display device with a touch detection function that comprises:

a substrate;

a display area in which pixels each constituted by a plurality of colorregions are arranged in a matrix in a plane parallel to a surface of thesubstrate;

a touch detection electrode that includes a conductive thin wireextending in a plane parallel to the surface of the substrate, theconductive thin wire including a plurality of thin wire segments eachhaving a linear shape and including a first end and a second end, thesecond end of one of adjacent thin wire segments and the first end ofthe other of the adjacent thin wire segments being connected to eachother;

a drive electrode that has electrostatic capacitance with respect to thetouch detection electrode; and

a display function layer having a function of displaying an image in thedisplay area, wherein

when it is assumed that a direction of arrangement of color regionshaving the highest human visibility among the color regions is definedas a pixel arrangement direction, that a maximum length of one of thepixels in a pixel orthogonal direction orthogonal to the pixelarrangement direction in the plane parallel to the surface of thesubstrate is defined as a first unit length, and that a maximum lengthof one of the pixels in a direction parallel to the pixel arrangementdirection is defined as a second unit length,

the plurality of thin wire segments included in the conductive thin wireincludes a thin wire segment extending in a direction different from thepixel arrangement direction, and the second end of the thin wire segmentis located at a place away from the first end in a direction toward atarget position, where the target position is distant from the first endof the thin wire segment in the pixel orthogonal direction by N times ofthe first unit length, and is distant from the first end of the thinwire segment in the pixel arrangement direction by M times of the secondunit length, each of N and M is an integer of 2 or larger, and N and Mare different from each other.

A display device with a touch detection function and an electronicapparatus of the present disclosure can reduce the possibility of amoire pattern being seen, while including touch detection electrodes ofan electrically conductive material such as a metallic material.

An electronic apparatus of the present disclosure includes theabove-described display device with a touch detection function. Examplesof the electronic apparatus of the present disclosure include, but arenot limited to, a television device, a digital camera, a personalcomputer, a video camera, and a portable electronic apparatus such as amobile phone.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present subjectmatter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is thereforeintended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appendedclaims.

The invention is claimed as follows:
 1. A display device with a touchdetection function comprising: a substrate; a display area in whichpixels each constituted by a plurality of color regions are arranged ina matrix in a plane parallel to a surface of the substrate; a touchdetection electrode that includes a conductive thin wire extending in aplane parallel to the surface of the substrate, the conductive thin wireincluding a plurality of thin wire segments each having a linear shapeand including a first end and a second end, the second end of one ofadjacent thin wire segments and the first end of the other of theadjacent thin wire segments being connected to each other; a driveelectrode that has electrostatic capacitance with respect to the touchdetection electrode; and a display function layer having a function ofdisplaying an image in the display area, wherein when it is assumed thata direction of arrangement of color regions having the highest humanvisibility among the color regions is defined as a pixel arrangementdirection, that a maximum length of one of the pixels in a pixelorthogonal direction orthogonal to the pixel arrangement direction inthe plane parallel to the surface of the substrate is defined as a firstunit length, and that a maximum length of one of the pixels in adirection parallel to the pixel arrangement direction is defined as asecond unit length, the plurality of thin wire segments included in theconductive thin wire include a thin wire segment extending in adirection different from the pixel arrangement direction, and the secondend of the thin wire segment is located at a place away from the firstend in a direction toward a target position, where the target positionis distant from the first end of the thin wire segment in the pixelorthogonal direction by N times of the first unit length, and is distantfrom the first end of the thin wire segment in the pixel arrangementdirection by M times of the second unit length, each of N and M is aninteger of 2 or larger, and N and M are different from each other. 2.The display device with the touch detection function according to claim1, wherein each of N and M is an integer of 3 or larger.
 3. The displaydevice with the touch detection function according to claim 2, wherein adifference between N and M is
 1. 4. The display device with the touchdetection function according to claim 1, wherein in the adjacent thinwire segments, a portion at which the second end of one of the adjacentthin wire segments is connected to the first end of the other of thethin wire segments forms a bent portion, from which the one of theadjacent thin wire segments extends at an angle with respect to thepixel arrangement direction, and the other of the adjacent thin wiresegments extends in a direction different from that of the one of theadjacent thin wire segments so as to change the angle with respect tothe pixel arrangement direction at the bent portion.
 5. The displaydevice with the touch detection function according to claim 1, wherein aplurality of such conductive thin wires are arranged in the planeparallel to the surface of the substrate and are arranged so as to forman intersecting portion where the thin wire segments of the conductivethin wires adjacent to each other intersect, and one of the adjacentconductive thin wires is connected to the thin wire segments of theother of the adjacent conductive thin wires at the intersecting portion.6. The display device with the touch detection function according toclaim 1, wherein the touch detection electrode and the drive electrodeare arranged in different planes with the substrate interposedtherebetween in a direction orthogonal to the surface of the substrate;and the drive electrode is translucent.
 7. The display device with thetouch detection function according to claim 6, wherein the driveelectrode extends in the pixel arrangement direction or the pixelorthogonal direction.
 8. An electronic apparatus comprising: a displaydevice with a touch detection function that comprises: a substrate; adisplay area in which pixels each constituted by a plurality of colorregions are arranged in a matrix in a plane parallel to a surface of thesubstrate; a touch detection electrode that includes a conductive thinwire extending in a plane parallel to the surface of the substrate, theconductive thin wire including a plurality of thin wire segments eachhaving a linear shape and including a first end and a second end, thesecond end of one of adjacent thin wire segments and the first end ofthe other of the adjacent thin wire segments being connected to eachother; a drive electrode that has electrostatic capacitance with respectto the touch detection electrode; and a display function layer having afunction of displaying an image in the display area, wherein when it isassumed that a direction of arrangement of color regions having thehighest human visibility among the color regions is defined as a pixelarrangement direction, that a maximum length of one of the pixels in apixel orthogonal direction orthogonal to the pixel arrangement directionin the plane parallel to the surface of the substrate is defined as afirst unit length, and that a maximum length of one of the pixels in adirection parallel to the pixel arrangement direction is defined as asecond unit length, the plurality of thin wire segments included in theconductive thin wire include a thin wire segment extending in adirection different from the pixel arrangement direction, and the secondend of the thin wire segment is located at a place away from the firstend in a direction toward a target position, where the target positionis distant from the first end of the thin wire segment in the pixelorthogonal direction by N times of the first unit length, and is distantfrom the first end of the thin wire segment in the pixel arrangementdirection by M times of the second unit length, each of N and M is aninteger of 2 or larger, and N and M are different from each other.